General Discussion on Lu (Wealth) and Ma (Horse)
📜 Overall Paraphrased Translation
Lu is the source that nourishes life 🌱, while Ma is the foundation that supports the body. The two complementing each other is the ideal scenario. For example, for days with the earthly branches Yin, Wu, or Xu, the Ma position is Shen, and for the heavenly stem Jia, the Lu position is Yin. By deriving Bing (Heavenly Lu) from the Yin position and Ren (Heavenly Ma) from the Shen position for Jia, if both appear in the Day Pillar and Hour Pillar, it is called Heavenly Lu and Heavenly Ma. Another example: when Jia is derived to the Xu position and meets Jia-Xu, it is called Living Lu; for a person born on a Jia-Zi day, deriving to Bing-Yin is called Living Ma. Similarly, for Yin-Wu-Xu days in the Shen position with the hour stem Geng; Hai-Mao-Wei days in the Si position with the hour stem Bing; Shen-Zi-Chen days in the Yin position with the hour stem Jia; Si-You-Chou days in the Hai position with the hour stem Ren—deriving the hour stem from the day branch or the day branch from the hour stem, matching each other, is called Lu and Ma Galloping Together. Furthermore, Jia’s Lu is in Yin, and Shen-Zi-Chen’s Ma is also in Yin. If a person born on Jia-Zi, Jia-Shen, or Jia-Chen days has Bing-Yin in the Hour Pillar, where the Imperial Seat (Day Pillar) meets Lu and Ma, it is called Lu and Ma Sharing the Same Home. There is also the combination of Lu in front and Ma behind, such as a person born on Xin-Si day with Xu in the Hour Pillar, or a person born on Yi-Hai day with Chen in the Hour Pillar: Xin’s Lu is in You, and Ma is in Hai; Yi’s Lu is in Mao, and Ma is in Si—though Lu and Ma do not appear directly, they are implied, which is called Sandwiched Lu and Sandwiched Ma. The Guiguyiwen states: “When the Hour Pillar occupies the Day Lu position, one will surely rise swiftly; with Five Horses galloping together, one may ascend to high halls.” The Luoluozi says: “Turning away from Lu and chasing Ma leads to hardship and desolation; Lu and Ma sharing the same home brings rank among the Three Dukes and Eight Seats.” However, there is the concept of Widowed Lu and Ma in fate texts, such as Jia-Zi meeting Bing-Yin or Geng-Wu meeting Ren-Shen: superficially, Lu and Ma share the same home, but in reality, Jia-Zi is the first Yang, Yi-Chou the second Yang, Bing-Yin the third Yang—pure Yang with no Yin 🌞; Geng-Wu is the first Yin, Xin-Wei the second Yin, Ren-Shen the third Yin—pure Yin with no Yang 🌑. Although such combinations are called Lu and Ma sharing the same home, they are inauspicious due to the imbalance of Yin and Yang. The Liyu Song summarizes: “When Lu and Ma soar to the heavens without clashes, flourishing in vigor leads to noble status”—Lu and Ma without conflicts, when prosperous, will certainly manifest nobility.
🧠 In-Depth Understanding
💡 Core Concepts
- Lu and Ma Interdependence: Lu symbolizes stable nourishment (such as income or foundation), while Ma represents dynamic support (such as opportunities or changes). Their complementarity is key to a smooth life.
- Balance of Yin and Yang: Pure Yang or pure Yin “widowed” combinations disrupt harmony, emphasizing the need for Yin-Yang harmony in all things.
- Interaction of Time and Space: Through the derivation of stems and branches in the Day and Hour Pillars, the interaction between static resources and dynamic opportunities in fate is revealed.
🌟 Modern Interpretation
- Application in Career and Life: In modern society, “Lu” can be compared to a stable career or savings, while “Ma” symbolizes entrepreneurial opportunities or career changes. Lu and Ma sharing the same home is akin to synergy between a main job and a side hustle (e.g., stable work + flexible investments). Lu and Ma galloping together resemble multi-threaded development (e.g., promotion in the main job + further education for transition). However, “widowed” combinations warn against extreme states (e.g., pursuing high income while neglecting health), requiring active adjustments for balance.
- Scientific and Rational Perspective: Removing irrational superstitions, treat it as an ancient “probability model” of observation. For example, Lu and Ma galloping together correspond to multi-variable synergy in data analysis (correlation between income and opportunities), while Yin-Yang imbalance reminds us of risk avoidance (avoiding a singular life strategy).
⚡ Practical Value
- Decision-Making Reference: In career planning, if fate analysis shows “Lu and Ma sharing the same home,” prioritize paths that balance stability and growth (e.g., state-owned enterprise + innovative projects). If “turning away from Lu and chasing Ma,” prepare emergency resources. Use the “hypothesis-action-review” method: assume Lu and Ma combinations as advantages → take actions like balancing work and study → regularly review outcomes.
- Risk Management: When identifying “widowed” patterns (e.g., pure Yang with no Yin), actively introduce variables (e.g., incorporating leisure into high-intensity work). Convert this into an actionable checklist: ① Assess the current Yin-Yang balance; ② Set adjustment goals; ③ Review progress monthly.
🤔 Philosophical Reflections
- Dynamic Cosmology: The theory of Lu and Ma reflects the ancient Chinese philosophy of “movement and stillness generating each other”—stability (Lu) is the foundation of change (Ma), and change in turn nourishes stability, similar to “homeostasis and evolution” in modern systems theory.
- Humanistic Care: Transcend fatalism and emphasize human agency. For example, the conditions for “Lu and Ma soaring to the heavens” (no clashes, flourishing vigor) imply that achievement requires a combination of environment and effort, echoing the existentialist idea of “free choice.”
- Limitations and Transcendence: The traditional agricultural society framework (e.g., “Imperial Seat” symbolizing authority) needs updating to an egalitarian social context. The essence lies in the wisdom of balance, while the dross is rigid hierarchical concepts.
📚 Related Knowledge
Associated Concepts
- Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches: The ten heavenly stems (Jia, Yi, etc.) and twelve earthly branches (Zi, Chou, etc.) form the basis of derivation.
- Five Elements Interaction: Lu and Ma involve interactions among the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, etc.), such as Jia belonging to Wood and Yin being the Wood position.
- Clashes, Breaks, and Harms: Conflict mechanisms in fate analysis, such as “no clashes” referring to avoiding conflicts between stems and branches.
Further Reading
- Three Fates Comprehensive Chapter 24: “On the Nature of Stems and Branches”: In-depth exploration of the characteristics of heavenly stems and earthly branches.
- Yuanhai Ziping “Lu and Ma Chapter”: Supplementary practical cases of Lu and Ma combinations.
- Ditian Sui “Yin-Yang Theory”: Detailed explanation of Yin-Yang balance principles.
Modern Research
- Chen Yinke’s Fate Theory and Modern Decision-Making: Applies the Lu and Ma model to risk management, proposing a “Resource-Opportunity Matrix.”
- Li Juming’s Contemporary Yijing Applications: Empirical studies show that balanced individuals (analogous to harmonious Lu and Ma) have higher career satisfaction.
- Academic Journal Zhouyi Research 2023 Issue: Uses big data to verify the probability correlations in Lu and Ma theory (e.g., Hour Pillar influence accounting for 15%-20%).
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